Digestion: What Doctors Won't Tell You

Essentials Of Life was officially established in 1994, but was actually founded in the mid 70's, unintentionally, by my wife June, as a result of health problems she had when we were living in Vermont. Despite one doctors' suggestion that she examine alternatives before electing to have surgery, a dairy product triggered an attack that left with no choice but to have her gall bladder removed.After the operation, we assumed that her digestive problems would be history.

By the time we moved back to New Hampshire, in 1982, June's digestive problems had resumed. Doctors, even a referred specialist in gastroenterology (digestive system) didn't seem to have the answers. She was diagnosed with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), but even the recommended dietary changes made little difference. All too often, stomach pain became a normal interruption to her sleep pattern. She read all of the medical books and related articles she could find.

Frustrated and determined to get well, she began reading about natural alternatives. A whole new world opened up when she discovered digestive enzymes. Unlike harsh OTC drugs that interact with and deplete stomach acid, digestive enzymes work in the pancreas to properly break the food down. Foods were once rich with built-in enzymes but have become deficient. Less than two weeks after taking enzymes with meals, stomach cramps previously occurring within a half hour after eating, became a rarity instead of the norm. For under $20.00, years of pain and thousands of dollars in medical costs were virtually erased and Essentials Of Life was being born.

We know that digestive enzymes may not be the single remedy for every stomach disorder. But, we do know that it isn't normal to be sick. Behind every symptom there's a cause. June's dedication to learning about her illness ultimately led to the quality of life she can finally enjoy. More than twenty five years before Essentials Of Life was established, Dr. Jim Perry in Vermont unknowingly planted a seed as he implied that there may be other options to surgery.

Over 7 billion dollars a year is spent on over-the-counter and prescription digestive aids for symptoms including acid indigestion, digestive upsets, gas, bloat, poor elimination, and more. Every cell, tissue, and organ in your body depends on the healthy digestion, absorption, and assimilation of food.

Unfortunately, cooking and processing methods destroy enzymes in our food that are so necessary for proper digestion. Our bodies can't manufacture enough of the right ones. As a result, our bodies attempt to compensate by withdrawing enzymes needed for digestion from its own "bank". Over time, these heavy withdrawals coupled with skimpy deposits lead to a bankrupt digestive system and ultimately, a lifetime of improper digestion, poor nutrient absorption, and less than ideal cell regeneration-degeneration. Tagamet, Pepcid, Tums, and other antacids, designed to reduce stomach acid, are merely masking the symptoms and may make a bad situation worse by disrupting the body's natural digestive process.

When there is insufficient hydrochloric/gastric acid, whether naturally or from taking antacids, nutrients cannot be absorbed. Antacids also reduce hydrochloric acid so that food isn't broken down completely, resulting in fermentation, allergic symptoms, and painful intestinal problems. Meat needs large amounts of acid to be broken down. Without adequate stomach acid it rots in the intestine, inviting bacteria that can cause painful gas, bloating, and if chronic, colon infections and eventually cancer. In masking the symptoms in the stomach, are we neglecting the real cause of the problems in the pancreas? The pancreas is a digestive organ in the abdomen, located just below the stomach. The primary job of the pancreas is to produce enzymes required for the digestion and absorption of food.

Each day the pancreas secretes about 1.5 quarts of pancreatic juice into the small intestine. The enzymes secreted by the pancreas break down food by breaking the chemical bonds that hold food molecules together. Enzymes secreted include lipases which digest fat, proteases which digest proteins, and amylases which digest starch molecules.

Do You Need Your Gallbladder?The gall bladder stores bile, and releases it in optimum quantities when it is needed. Without your gall bladder, the liver will still produce bile, but the bile will leak inside you because it will not have a proper place to go.The spleen breaks down worn-out red blood cells into bile salts and other substances. (Even worn out blood cells get used). Bile salts are normal in the body when in normal amounts. The liver removes excess bile salts and wastes and sends them to the gall bladder for storage. The liver is the body's principal chemical plant. If a man built a plant to perform all the chemical functions someone's liver could perform, the plant would cover 500 acres. While the products are in the gall bladder, water is reabsorbed and so the waste products get more and more concentrated and form bile.

Bile is needed for 3 things: • It neutralizes the acid from the stomach (because bile is very alkaline) • It breaks down fats so that they can be digested • It is a natural laxative for the colon

Roughly 20 million Americans suffer from gallstones, and 750,000 of them have their gallbladders removed each year. There are 800,000 hospitalizations and 2 billion dollars spent annually on gallbladder disease.

from Living Without A Gallbladder by Dr. Loretta Lanphier, ND, CN, HHP: For most people the pain of a malfunctioning gallbladder eventually becomes unbearable. After several trips to the emergency room the mention of surgery is met with certain approval. Unfortunately this seemingly simple solution may or may not end the pain and discomfort of gallbladder disease. The probable after-effects of gallbladder surgery are never discussed with the patient which leaves the patient with the impression that all will be back-to-normal after surgery. But it doesn't take long to realize that all is "not well" and the patient soon begins to feel very betrayed by their surgeon and doctor who did not prepare them for "life without a gallbladder."

Contrary to medical opinion the gallbladder is of use to the body. The gallbladder is a small sac underneath your liver that stores and secretes bile, a digestive fluid that breaks down fats. Gallstones form when the chemical compounds in bile become unbalanced -- no one's sure exactly why this happens, but a diet high in fat often makes the problem worse. Since bile is actually produced by the liver, it's possible to survive without a gallbladder, but often not without unpleasant digestive tract complications.The gallbladder is like a pump. Without it, the liver can't secrete enough bile to properly digest a full meal. Many people experience symptoms such as diarrhea, gas, abdominal pain, bloating, indigestion, constipation, increased allergies, liver congestion, itchy skin and autoimmune diseases. Some patients suffer from dumping syndrome, in which food is "dumped" too quickly into the intestines from the stomach.

Suggestions for living without a gallbladder:If your gallbladder is removed your Liver will still produce bile. It won't be the amount that the gallbladder was able to store, but enough. Eat lower fat foods and smaller portions at each meal.

• Diet is extremely important. Eat low-fat, high fiber, organic and healthy. Eliminate refined carbohydrates and hydrogenated oils. • Every four months a liver cleanse or flush should be performed. People without gallbladders may develop stones in the liver which will lead to a sluggish liver. Remember that the liver is the main filter of the body. • Colon cleanse - Two times a year. • Digestive Enzymes with Ox Bile- You will need to take enzymes for the rest of your life in order to digest the good fats (Omega 3) which are essential for good health.

Ox Bile is a suitable supplement to the liver's production of bile. Bile is naturally produced by the body and is used in the process of digestion. Symptoms of constipation and a tan colored stool may indicate that the body's production of bile is less than optimal. Ox Bile supports the pancreas, gall bladder and liver in producing bile salts and helps digest fats. Binds with cholesterol which is then flushed out of the body. Reduces bloating, gas, nausea and pain after a high fat meal. Bile is essential in peristalsis - the wavy action that moves food through the intestines.

• Reduce animal intake (meat and dairy) - When consuming animal products make sure they are free-range, organic and hormone-free. • Eliminate white sugar and white flour • Exercise daily for 30 minutes. Walking is highly suggested. • Get 30 minutes of sunshine on as much of your body as is legal, everyday, for adequate Vitamin D production.

Digestin Digestive Enzymes from Progressive Laboratories

$28.00

Enzymes are complex protein molecules that are manufactured by all plant and animal cells. Enzymes are very important because they break up large food molecules into smaller units that are absorbed into the cells. They help the body digest food and assimilate nutrients from proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and plant fibers. In addition, enzymes assist in all chemical reactions taking place in our body; including the regeneration of cells/tissues and the elimination of waste products/toxins as well as supporting our immune system.

Digestin... Digestive Aid For Protein, Fat And Starch

Digestin™ is a two-phase digestive enzyme capsule that works in both the upper and lower digestive tract. Its exclusive enteric matrix formulation allows part of its enzymes to be released in the gastric phase and part in the enteric phase of digestion.

Acida-Zyme HCI w/Pepsin from Progressive Laboratories

$22.75

Stomach acid is a crucial step in the digestive process. Responsible for breaking down proteins, producing bile, stimulating the pancreas to produce digestive enzyme, and killing harmful bacteria, stomach acid is crucial for healthy digestion and assimilation of food. Without optimal stomach acid, we are vulnerable to poor digestion and all of its manifestations, gas, bloating, eczema, allergies, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, vitamin deficiencies and many chronic degenerative diseases.

Digest HPE ... Contains 13 Bio-Active Naturally Derived Enzymes

$19.00

Digest HPE™ is an intensive strength complex of 13 bio-active, naturally derived enzymes that aid in more thorough and efficient digestion, so you can feel better about the foods you eat. This advanced formula was specifically developed to help naturally breakdown difficult-to-digest foods such as dairy, legumes and cruciferous vegetables (cailiflower, broccoli, cabbage and brussels sprouts), and promotes a "feel better" benefit across multi-food groups.

Digest HPE™ contains naturally derived protein, carbohydrate and fat-digesting enzymes including those not naturally produced by the body, such as Cellulase, Bromelain and Papain. Along with Amylase, Protease, Lipase and Lactase, these enzymes work at high-activity levels, providing advanced nutrient absorption benefits to the overall digestive process.* Supplementing with Digest HPE™ will give you the "enzyme edge" to feel better about the foods you enjoy... with every meal, every day.

Super Papaya Enzyme Plus

$12.50

Chewable Super Papaya Enzyme Plus...The After Meal Supplement

An advanced, more powerful digestive aid, this 100% natural "after meal" supplement may be especially helpful when looking for a higher level of support. Each serving contains 15mg of delicious papaya fruit fortified with well-known enzymes, including papain, protease, amylase, and bromelain, which may help improve the absorption of food and protein digestion. Peppermint and chlorophyll have been added to refresh taste and sweeten breath.

Probiotic CD from American Health

Probiotic CD™ is a proprietary blend of 12 billion bio-active microorganismsÅ» from 10 naturally-derived strains. This comprehensive probiotic blend is enhanced through the advanced controlled delivery of Bio-tract®. Bio-tract® shields active organisms from stomach gastric acids, which may destroy sensitive bacteria before they reach the intestinal tract - reducing the number of active organisms, lowering product effectiveness and impacting nutrient absorption.

Bio-tract®'s exclusive gel matrix technology allows for a gel protective layer to continuously form and erode around the tablet; releasing probiotic organisms as it travels through the digestive tract providing controlled delivery and ensuring the organisms remain active at consistent levels throughout the day. You can count on Probiotic CD™ to deliver the highest level of all day digestive, intestinal and immune support essential for healthy digestion, natural regularity, intestinal function and immune health.

Disclaimer: Information contained on this site should not be construed as medical advice. Product statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug administration. The products we offer are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you have a medical condition, consult your health care practitioner.